Sheffield Wednesday: New arrival backed to blossom

Dom Howson

Boss Carlos Carvalhal insists there is more to come from summer signing Marco Matias as the Owls prepare to step-up their pre-season preparations.

The versatile forward has featured in all three of Wednesday’s warm-up matches since arriving from Portuguese top flight side Nacional nearly a fortnight ago.

Matias netted in their win at Ilkeston and played the full match at York City as he continues to build up his fitness levels ahead of the new season, which gets underway on August 8.

Carvalhal said: “Marco [Matias] is a very smart player and will give speed and movement to our attack. He will be much better in the future.

“It’s not just Marco. There is Ross Wallace, Alex Lopez and Lewis McGugan who came later on. They are improving and will add quality to our team.”

Carvalhal’s squad go to Portugal today for a five-day warm weather training camp. They take on Sporting Clube de Braga in a friendly on Friday.

Wednesday’s Under-18s, meanwhile, face Brentford in the final of a mini knockout tournament in Vilamoura, Portugal tonight.

*Owls’ home fixtures with Leeds and Cardiff have been changed on police advice. Wednesday’s Yorkshire derby with Leeds will now kick-off at 12.30pm on January 16 while the Cardiff clash has been switched to Sunday, May 1, kick-off 12:30pm.

*Former Wednesday midfielder Paul Corry has joined Northampton on trial. He started their friendly at home to Birmingham City last night.